Scrambling for greener pastures and family disintegration in Nigeria

Abstract

This study specifically examines the psychological status of women whose husbands travel abroad for greener pastures. Human migration from one geo-political region to another is part of man; and searching for land that flows with milk and honey appears the salient reason among others. Nigeria witnessed the nuptial exit of its virile and young minds to the foreign land for better living between the 80s and 90s and it has remained constant. This migration has affected every facet of national building in Nigeria - politics, economy, social, agriculture, and science and technology; among others. This paper therefore, examines the psychological effects of husband‘s exit for greener pastures on the wife and the children left back at home; and the effects also on the development of the society at large. It suggests ways government, work place and organizations could help couples on the job; and strategies to put in place should one of the spouses decides to embark on a foreign mission for better living.

Key words: scrambling, greener pastures, migration, family disintegration, couples, and Nigeria.